Andre Roberson‘s 2017/18 season was cut short because of a ruptured patellar tendon and the Thunder are not rushing the defensive-minded wing back on the court, as Nick Gallo of NBA.com details. Oklahoma City realizes how crucial Roberson will be to their postseason success.
“I’m really excited for him to get back on the floor. I think we all know at this stage how important he is to the team and just what his size and length, and I think just his fiber in general, what it means to the team,” said GM Sam Presti.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- The Roberson-Russell Westbrook–Paul George trio had the fifth-best defensive ranking in the league last season, Gallo notes in the same piece. “There was crazy potential there,” Roberson recalled. “We kind of finally started to figure it out, figured out how to play off of each other, and things were clicking.”
- Despite an ESPN forecast panel that gave the Wolves just a 12 percent chance to keep Jimmy Butler beyond this season, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune is still optimistic that the two sides can find common ground on a long-term deal. Rand also advises readers not to worry too much about the rumors of Butler teaming up with Kyrie Irving on a rival squad.
- The Nuggets are the only team in the Northwest Division that has traded away its own first-round pick, as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors detailed this week. Denver sent the pick to Brooklyn in the Kenneth Faried deal.
George said he stayed because of Westbrook, but Roberson’s loss really affected their season. George said he’s a difference maker on the court.
Betting guys say of all the top free agents most likely to move, Butler is it.
OKC is definitely much improved with the comeback of Roberson, adding Schroeder, Noel, subtracting Melo… Good off season.
Butler is probably gonna move, the only reason he would stay is Thibs, he let’s him be the man when clearly he shouldn’t be, so for the good of Minny I hope he gets traded so Minny can get something for him.
If the Wolves stumble into the deadline and the Lakers are hovering around .500 the Lakers are probably going to move Lonzo and Hart for Jimmy. Lonzo would be a way better fit with the Wolves since he can elevate Wiggins and Towns’s games being that he’s a pass first guard and won’t take away touches from either. The Lakers can just have Rondo run point and plug Jimmy at the 2.
Lakers lineup would be
Rondo-Jimmy-Ingram-Bron-McGee
That can compete with the Warriors.
Rubio was a pass first pg, and Wolves dealt him for the 20th pick.
Amen Rewane. Lonzo won’t improve Wiggins or KAT’s games. Wiggins doesn’t want to improve, or his three point shot and Defense would have picked up in year three. Not sure what KAT’s deal is, otherworldly talent, but something just doesn’t seem right.
Well, I’m saying that Wolves certainly doesn’t really want a pass first PG on the team. If they sent out Rubio, why would they want ball.